Copper Pipe Toilet Roll Holder & Phone Stand

This is my second time using copper pipe in a project and I wanted to try something a little more fun.

This is very quick and simple project to make so I hope it inspires a lot of you. I created a video showing the whole process if you would like to watch it here:

Materials Used:

• 22mm Copper Pipe
• 22mm Elbow Compression Fittings
• 22mm Straight Compression Coupling
• 22mm Compression End Cap
• 2 Part Epoxy
• Scaffold Board
• Medium Oak Wax

Tools Used:

• Evolution Fury 3S Mitre Saw
• Evolution Fury 5S Table Saw
• Orbital Sander
• File
• Drill
• Wrench
• Spanner
• Brush
• Sandpaper

There are many different options for cutting copper pipe. I used my new Evolution Fury 3S mitre saw to cut the copper. It made quick work of the job.

I cut the pieces to the following lengths

1x 620mm

2x 160mm

1x 50mm

2x 65mm

I had an idea of the shape I wanted in my head so I added the elbow fitting by hand to make sure the lengths looked right and it would work with the toilet roll. When it looked OK I secured them in place with a wrench and a spanner.

The pieces go together really easily with these compression fittings.
I had the 160mm piece upright, then an elbow forward with the 50mm piece attached, then an elbow left followed by a 65mm piece, onto that I added an elbow going down with the other 65mm piece then an elbow right with the other 160mm piece. I added the compression end cap on the end of that too.

on the bottom of the 160mm piece I secured the straight compression coupling
and then hand tightened the other side to the connection this is so it can slip on and off the upright 620mm piece that will be the stand. This will allow me to lift off the toilet roll holder, add other toilet rolls onto the bottom of the stand for storage and sit the toilet roll holder back on.

I used a 220mm square piece of scaffold board for the base. It could have been left square but I decided a circle would look better so I nailed it to my table saw sled 110mm away from the blade. I could then proceed to cut off the corners of the square, as smaller and smaller corners are formed I cut them off with the saw. Eventually you are left with no more corners and a circle shape.

There are of course many ways to cut a circle but I like this method and it is quick, easy and accurate.

I could then drill a 22mm hole roughly 25mm deep into the centre of the wooden circle. I made sure the copper pipe fit before I sanded it and removed any sharp edges with a file.

I wanted a warmer tone to the wood so I opted for a medium oak liquid wax. It brushed on really easily and dried in 20 mins. I added 2 coats and sanded between each.

When the wax was completely dry. I sanded one end of the 620mm copper pipe, this is to give the epoxy more surface area to adhere to. I then mixed together equal amounts of the epoxy and added it to the hole and the end of the copper pipe I sanded. I could then insert the copper pipe into the hole making sure it was fully seated and square to the base. I let that set fully over knight.

At this point the toilet roll holder is complete but I wanted to add something else. A holder for my phone.

I used a block from the same scaffold board I made the base from. I drilled a 22mm hole all the way through the block.

I then took it to the mitre saw where I tilted the saw blade to 10 degrees and locked the depth of cut to roughly 20mm. I then proceeded to cut a groove just wide enough for my phone to fit in. Once my phone fit the slot I cut of the end at 90 degrees and cut of the corners at 45 degrees, this was just to make rounding the corners easier.

I rounded the corners with a file and my sander and then added the same medium oak wax that I used on the base.

Once it was dry I added it to the top section of the toilet roll holder. I removed the straight coupling added the phone holder on and then replaced the straight coupling back underneath. I think this made a big difference to the look of the piece and it adds a lot more use to it too.

I really hope you liked this project and I hope you have been inspired to make your own.